Hypospadias - Symptoms & Causes

We all want our baby to be healthy. Many times babies are born with some congenital conditions. These conditions may be harmless or harmful depending on the nature of the condition. One such condition that is found in males is Hypospadias. Like any concerned parents, you, first of all, don’t need to panic and try to understand what Hypospadias is.

What is Hypospadias?

Hypospadias is simply a medical condition that is related to the genitals of your baby boy. It is a condition where the opening of the urethra of your baby is not at the tip of the penis as it is supposed to be to function properly. The urethra is the main part of the urinary system and reproductive system in males.

It is a tube-like structure that carries urine from the bladder of the males to discharge it out of the body. Further, the flow of urine is blocked during sexual intercourse and the urethra takes the charge to ejaculate mature sperms in males. Hence the urethra can be considered as the carrier of urine and sperms under different conditions.

Hence, any condition associated with the urethra in boys is directly linked with the problems in the reproductive system and urinary system of the boys. A quick checklist of the signs and symptoms of Hypospadias makes it easier for the parents to understand the health condition of their baby.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hypospadias?

The symptoms in any medical condition are the first alarming bell that tries to make you aware of the condition of your body and its effects. You can term symptoms as simple signs that show that something is just not right in your body.

In the context of Hypospadias, first of all, it is a congenital condition. It means that your baby is born with the condition. Any visual signs or symptoms of Hypospadias can be noted by a pediatrician. You must rely on the advice of the doctor to conclude the seriousness of Hypospadias.

As briefed earlier, the urethra is a part of the urinary system and reproduction system, hence, any deviations in any of the related systems may hint at Hypospadias. The penis in males is associated with reproduction and can be termed as the mode of urinating too.

The penis is made up of soft tissues and hence can change its size during sexual activity. The urethra runs at the center of the penis and hence carries urine that is stored in the bladder to excrete it out of the body.

The dislocation of the opening of the urethra causes a downward curve of the penis that is also called a chordee. This is due to the location of the opening of the urethra in between the shaft and tip of the penis.

The other symptom of Hypospadias includes abnormal spraying during urination. This can be noted and requires immediate medical attention as your baby may feel pain sometimes as well.

The irregular skin color of the penis due to improper covering of the foreskin that protects the head of the penis is the other common symptom of Hypospadias. The foreskin is fully attached to the penis at the birth of a male and with the due course of time, it gets retracted back. The new location of the opening of the urethra can get parallel with the foreskin as well.

Different Types of Hypospadias

Just like any other medical condition, Hypospadias can be of different types. The main types of Hypospadias are:

1. Glanular Hypospadias

This is the slightest condition of Hypospadias in which the opening of the urethra is located at the head of the penis but is not exactly at the tip of the penis.

2. Subcoronal Hypospadias

This is the low-intensity condition in which the opening of the urethra is located just below the head of the penis. Thus, in this condition, the opening of the urethra is much nearer to the exact position. Hence, it is termed a light condition.

3. Distal Hypospadias

Further, another condition in which the opening of the urethra is midway between the edge of the head of the penis and the middle of the side of the penis is specifically termed as distal Hypospadias.

4. Midshaft Hypospadias

As it is clear from the name only, the location of the opening of the urethra is anywhere halfway down to the side of the penis. This is the condition that can be termed mild stage also.

5. Penoscrotal Hypospadias

It is the condition in which the opening of the urethra is located at the place where the scrotum meets the penis. It is by far the most distant location for the opening of the urethra and can be termed a serious condition.

6. Perineal Hypospadias

The condition in which the opening of the urethra is located at the center of the scrotum sac. The scrotum is divided abnormally into two parts.

The different types of Hypospadias require different types of medications. Hence the doctor must conclude the right stage and type to ensure that the medication or treatment should be effective.

What are the Causes of Hypospadias?

First of all, Hypospadias is a congenital condition. This means that the problem starts with the making of the penis of your baby when he is inside your womb only. This may be due to the incomplete development of the tissue that covers the urethra. Hence, the passageway of the urethra is shortened and the condition of Hypospadias is developed.

Secondly, this condition can also be due to the inactive participation of the male hormones that guide the fetus to make male reproductive organs. Any abnormality in the scrotum or penis is directly linked to the abnormality in the urethra that increases the chances of the development of Hypospadias in your baby.

While studying the reasons for this widely spread disease in male babies, we have taken account of the causes related to the fetus development only, while there can be many more possible reasons. The situation that happens at the time of pregnancy is majorly dependent on the conditions of the mother. It will not be wrong to say that the health of the mother largely affects the health conditions of the baby, Hypospadias being one of them.

What are the Risk Factors in Hypospadias?

After discussing the possible causes of Hypospadias in babies, let us shift our focus to the risk factors associated with the mother and other family members that can be the potential cause of this disease in your baby. The following are the most commonly discussed risk factors related to Hypospadias:

1. Hormones at the Time of Pregnancy

Certain women consume hormonal pills before or during the pregnancy that have adverse effects on the health of the baby. Most cases of Hypospadias are found to have mothers that have taken such pills or injections just before the start of pregnancy or during the pregnancy phase.

2. Possible Fertility Treatments for Pregnancy

Another risk factor that increases the chance of Hypospadias in your baby is assisted fertility treatment. It can be thus eliminated by taking note of the pros and cons of fertility treatments.

It is advised to go for natural assistance rather than strong allopathic prescriptions. If things are not working well, consult your doctor about the possible effects of the same on your baby and how to neutralize them.

3. Health Conditions of the Mother like Age and Weight

Babies with Hypospadias are found to be born to mothers with increased weight or suffering from long-time obesity. Delayed pregnancies like at the age of 34 or above also increase the chances of this disease in the babies.

4. Hereditary

The fathers suffering from Hypospadias at birth are more likely to have sons suffering from Hypospadias. Thus the link of heredity is somewhat established in this condition.

These are the possible risk factors associated with Hypospadias. The least you can do to keep your baby away from this problem is to ensure you are consuming the right things at the right time according to the guidance of your doctor.

Possible Methods to Eliminate the Risk Factors of Hypospadias

It is important to take note of the possible methods to eliminate the risk factors of Hypospadias:

Never take any medicine without the consultation of the doctor in your pregnancy period.
Give your best to go for natural fertility. In case the same is not possible, go for the safest method of assisted fertility treatment.
Try to maintain a proper weight before and during the pregnancy that largely determines the health of your baby.
In case you are planning for a baby in the later stages of your life, have a good consultation with your gynecologist to avoid any complications at a later stage in pregnancy.

What is the Ideal Hypospadias Treatment?

As mentioned before, most babies suffering from Hypospadias don’t require surgery or specialized treatment. Just in case, your baby is a Hypospadias baby and requires surgery, it is best to be done as early as possible. You can trust the natural healing ability of your baby that will facilitate faster recovery.

The procedure of Hypospadias surgery starts with general anesthesia under the monitoring of a pediatric anesthetist. The doctor may recommend single surgery or multiple surgeries for the same. It involves different steps like placing the opening of the urethra at the right place, repairing the skin around the wrong opening of the urethra, and finally correcting the shape of the penis. The best time for Hypospadias surgery is when your baby is at the age of 3 months to 1.5 yrs.

The Hypospadias surgery cost varies from hospital to hospital and hence needs to be checked before admitting your baby for the same.

What Care Should be Taken after the Treatment of Hypospadias?

How small or big surgery is, it remains surgery and hence proper care should be taken after the treatment of Hypospadias too.

The following basic points can be helpful:

The penis of your baby will be swollen due to the treatment. He may feel pain as well, so try to keep a strict check on the painkillers to relax him.
The doctor may introduce the catheter to your baby for the smooth passage of urine. This will be a bit irritable at the start and your baby may suffer bladder pains as well.
Do not scrub the penis of your baby post Hypospadias surgery. Just gently wipe it.
Go for simple and comfortable sponge baths for your baby until he recovers fully.

What is Hypospadias? Uncovering the Myths

Like other medical conditions, Hypospadias has its share of myths. Let us help your get through some of the most common misconceptions about it:

1. Hypospadias Causes Infertility

If the condition is severe and it is not treated properly, chances are high that the person will not be able to eject sperms properly inside the body of the female. This may not directly cause infertility, but will create problems in having a child.

2. Hypospadias Interferes in Sex Life

Hypospadias, if treated properly, will not affect the sex life of the individual.

3. The Success Rate of Hypospadias Surgery is Low

Most of the babies who have had Hypospadias surgery have a fully functional penis and live a normal sex life without any issues in ejaculation.

FAQ’s

Let us help you to get through some of the most frequently asked questions about this condition:

1. Is Hypospadias Curable?

Yes, it is curable with the proper diagnosis.

2. What Age Does Hypospadias Repair?

Hypospadias requires medical treatment in most cases and it is wise to go for the treatment when your baby is in the Hypospadias surgery age i.e. between 3 months to 18 months to avoid any complications at a later stage in life.

3. Will My Baby Be Able To Pass Urine Properly After the Hypospadias Surgery?

Absolutely. Your baby will recover soon from the surgery and start living a normal life like he never had any medical condition.

You don’t need to worry in case you find your baby suffering from Hypospadias. We understand it is hard to do so being the parents, but still, you have to keep your calm. It is a congenital medical condition that has no adverse effects on your baby in case it is treated in due time. All that matters is to stay aware of this condition and always take the help of a pediatrician.

Hypospadias – Symptoms & Causes